Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Nikola Tesla wish to reject the Edison Medal of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers?

2. Who backs out of his commitment for further investment in Wardenclyffe?

3. In how many days does Nikola Tesla think the turbine can drive ocean liners across the Atlantic?

4. What does Nikola Tesla do during the Edison Medal presentation ceremony?

5. In what year does Nikola Tesla finally sue Marconi?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Nikola try not to attend the Edison Medal ceremony to receive his award?

2. As described in Chapter 28, "Death and Transfiguration," why is Nikola Tesla caught in the middle of politics with regard to the role of Yugoslavia in World War II?

3. In Chapter 24, "Transitions," why does Nikola Tesla bemoan the "problem" of women in an interview in the Detroit Free Press?

4. What role does the National Research Council have in preventing Nikola from getting his ideas listened to?

5. In Chapter 17, "The Great Radio Controversy," what court rules that Nikola Tesla is the inventor of radio, rather than William Marconi?

6. In Chapter 22, "The Guest of Honor," what are B.A. Behrend's motives in persuading the AIEE to award the Edison Medal to Nikola Tesla?

7. What influence does Nikola have on some Canadians with respect to wireless electric power generation?

8. What is different about Nikola's flivver airplane, or flying stove, and other existing aircraft?

9. What mistake does Nikola make when proposing his process for degassifying copper to the American Smelting and Refining Company?

10. Why does Nikola care for pigeons in Chapter 23, "Pigeons"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

For a period in Nikola Tesla's life, he becomes quite secretive about more than surface details of his inventions. In his seventies, he announces earth-shattering inventions and makes numerous prophecies. To what do you attribute these changes? Why is Nikola suddenly willing to take risks again after so many years? How much of this change can be attributed to the interest shown to him by Kenneth Swezey?

Essay Topic 2

Nikola has nothing but disdain for Orville Wright's aircraft technology. Therefore, he invents his own "flying stove" using early vertical takeoff technology that is not patented until 1928, and not utilized by two companies until after 1950. What reasons can you give for why Nikola is not able to prototype or commercialize this technology? Do you think at least some of his resistance to Wright's aircraft is due to personal or intellectual arrogance? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Nikola Tesla's cool fireball and one thousand volt electrocution demonstrations fascinates Mark Twain, Joseph Jefferson, and Chauncey McGovern. At the end of the demonstrations, Nikola Tesla explains why he can stand briefly on the platform with high voltage yet not get electrocuted. Choose one of the following options to write about.

1) Describe the professions of Nikola Tesla's three guests and why you think Nikola Tesla gives these particular demonstrations.

2) Why does Nikola Tesla explain the rationale for the high voltage platform demonstration?

3) What impression does Nikola Tesla leave with his guests when he does not make a distinction between a human and animal reaction?